I know there will be a thread about this eventually (especially seeing as how it releases this month), so here's the thread.

I don't really know what else to say but start talking! I know you all will find something to talk about. The summons maybe? Possible worlds that you would have liked to see in it? Whether or not you like Sanctuary or Passion better? Go for it!

It's hard to judge Sanctuary without hearing the whole song. From the snippet in the commercial, I'm not impressed with Sanctuary and I still listen to Passion on a daily basis. :) I watched a couple of those MTV interviews and the voices seem decently good so far.

I'll likely pick up a copy when it comes out, but with Suikoden V (possibly) arriving at the same time, Suikoden V will be played and finished completely before I start on KH2.

I'm a big RPG fan and a Disney fan so the game is right up my alley. Despite some problems with the camera, I really liked the first game. I even did extra stuff which I normally skip. So heck yeah, I'm buying this game when it comes out.

I'm going to buy this game the day it comes out...but for some reason I just can't get excited for it. It's been too damn long coming and I'm just not interested in tearing it open and playing it for 24 hours straight (unemployed still).

I'll end up splitting the cost with the girlfriend and she can blaze through it, so when I get burnt out on whatever MMO I am playing at the time I can just pick it up and be happy.

Squeenix took too long to get this game out and I kinda think it might hurt them. Hype can only do so much.

I've already got Kingdom Hearts 2 pre-ordered and paid for since a long time back. I'm really glad to hear that Squeenix have worked hard to fix the three big shortcomings of the first game - the Gummi Ship, the camera and the somewhat repetetive battle system. As I enjoyed the first Kingdom Hearts even with these flaws, I'm sure I'll have a lot of fun with the sequel. The screenshots that have been released look awesome - I can't wait to play the Steamboat Willie level.

As for the question asked in the first post (Passion vs Sanctuary), I have to say that I like Passion better. Can't say that I think any of them is fantastic though - really don't see what's so great about Utada Hikaru in the first place.

Squeenix took too long to get this game out and I kinda think it might hurt them. Hype can only do so much.

I thought so as well, Dade. The funny thing is that Kingdom Hearts II sold even more copies in Japan than the original game, surpassing the one million sales mark in a matter of weeks. So it looks like their strategy worked, at least in Japan.

Since they probably have earmarked a much bigger marketing budget for this game than for Grandia III, Drakengard 2 or Front Mission 5, Kingdom Hearts II will probably sell like hot cakes in the US as well. Not to mention that the other upcoming RPG releases, like Shadow Hearts From the New World will for better or worse have a hard time competiting with a game of such a high brand recognition (not only the Kingdom Hearts brand per se, but also the entire Final Fantasy meets Disney thing).

Squeenix took too long to get this game out and I kinda think it might hurt them. Hype can only do so much.

I've noticed that Squeenix, as well as a lot of companies, are announcing their games way too early. When was the first time you heard about Final Fantasy XII? That game has been in development for so long that its' hype has decreased a lot. Kingdom Hearts II hasn't taken as long as FFXII, but it's still been a while. Some of the hype has gone down. Twilight Princess was announced way too early. Final Fantasy III DS seems to be announced a little early. A lot of people announce things at E3 that they really should wait on. I find it kind of sad actually, because then the game gets forgot.

Meh. The marketing's more important for that then when it's announced; the hardcore that follow it may temporarily forget, but will wind up remembering when it comes out, and the marketting will make sure everyone else knows.

Ooooo...can't wait. Of course, I will probably not get this the day it comes out (like I do with most RPGs). I kinda have a lack of funds, what with all the great titles being released this year. I might get it as an Easter gift, since I will have $0 when Suikoden V is bought...